My Tikka Rifle Lineup
I didn’t plan on starting a Tikka rifle collection, but that seems to be how it’s playing out.
Tikka rifles check all the boxes for me:
- high quality
- accurate
- lightweight
- smooth actions
- still in a fairly reasonable price range
They've been a perfect fit for the type of hunting and shooting I do.
Right now the lineup includes:
- a left-handed Tikka T3 Hunter in 7mm Remington Magnum
- a right-handed Tikka T3 Hunter in 7mm Remington Magnum for my wife
- a left-handed Tikka T3x in .30-06
My 7mm Remington Magnum
The first Tikka I purchased was a left-handed Tikka T3 Hunter chambered in 7mm Remington Magnum.
The left-handed options were what first drew me toward Tikka rifles.
I originally planned on spending less, but after doing some research, I decided the extra cost was worth it. And once I handled the rifle, I knew it was the right fit for me.
I went with 7mm Rem Mag because I wanted a caliber well suited for deer hunting while still being capable of taking larger game like black bear or moose. That isn’t hunting I currently do, but I liked the idea of having a rifle that could do it all.
I primarily hunt from a tree stand, but since I also enjoy still hunting, I appreciate how lightweight the rifle is.
The rifle has also been very accurate, although I haven’t stretched it beyond 150 yards yet since most of my hunting is done in the big woods.
That’s something I’d like to spend more time experimenting with this summer, along with testing different types of ammo.
Over the years, the rifle has taken a few deer, including a buck that scored over 150 inches. That may not be impressive everywhere, but in the area I hunt, that’s about as big as they get.
My Wife’s 7mm Remington Magnum
My wife was originally planning on getting a Browning X-Bolt, but after handling one in the store, it felt a bit long for someone who’s 5'2". She gave the Tikka a try and loved it instantly — something that took no convincing from me.
So why is a 5'2" woman shooting a 7mm Rem Mag? It’s just what she’s always used, starting with her dad’s Remington 700 BDL when she was younger.
7mm Rem Mag does have a fair amount of recoil and the lightweight Tikka build definitely amplifies it. To help with that, we installed a Limbsaver recoil pad which made a very noticeable difference.
Recoil also isn’t as big of an issue for a Manitoba deer hunter. By late November, we’re usually bundled up with multiple layers underneath a heavy hunting jacket which helps absorb most of the kick.
The rifle has only seen about a box of rounds so far between sighting it in and taking a few smaller bucks.
For the last few years, it’s mostly stayed in the gun safe — a side effect of having four kids in eight years.
But now that the kids are getting a bit older, it’s ready to make a comeback.
The .30-06
I really didn’t need this rifle and wasn’t even looking for one. But I heard a friend of a friend was selling a left-handed Tikka in .30-06 at a very reasonable price.
Once I found out it was a stainless, short, heavy barrel T3x, I figured I better give it a new home.
I still haven’t sighted the rifle in yet, but that’s one of my priorities for this summer.
Long-term, I may turn this into my still hunting rifle. The short barrel feels ideal for walking through the woods and getting on target quickly.
To fully convert it over, I may eventually switch to a 1-4x24 scope.
Regardless, somehow all of my kids are left-handed, so the rifle will get used — even if it takes a few years.
Looking Ahead
I don’t have any plans to add more rifles right now, but if that changes, I’ll definitely be taking another serious look at Tikka options.
It’s hard not to after the great experiences I’ve had with mine.
Until then, I’ll spend some more time at the property with the 7mm Rem Mag and .30-06 — having fun and getting ready for hunting season.